Learn Something New!

I love YouTube!  And Pinterest!  And learning new things!  There are so many video tutorials available, a crafty gal can't help but love seeing all of the ideas and demonstrations.  This year, I wanted to focus on handmade gifts for friends and family.  Although my mom taught me a basic crochet stitch years ago, I never really did anything with that knowledge.  Until now.

Thanks to a gift from the crafting universe, namely a very large bag of yarn, I found myself overwhelmed by possibilities.  Limited skills granted, but endless ideas.  However, a few minutes searching both Pinterest and YouTube brought both inspiration and instruction and saved my sanity. I have been one crocheting fool since!!  From scarves and ear warmers to chevron rugs and pot holders; you name it, I have tried it.  Some projects have been more successful than others, but that was due to my mistakes, not the video tutorials.  I can be a little slow on the uptake, so to speak. However, none of these projects would have been possible were it not for the generous YouTube and Pinterest posters who have shared their brilliance with the world.

For those who may be hesitant to try a new craft, take a look at my first crochet projects.  Obviously, I have much to learn, but feel these projects turned out reasonably well.  If I can learn to crochet, anyone can learn, as I am not the most patient person.  This process has been so much fun!  I even went out and bought more yarn.  Not because I needed it but rather because I wanted specific colors.

I am so thankful for the Internet and all of the wisdom it brings!  Since beginning this quest for knowledge and instruction, I have learned so many wonderful techniques.  I never knew how soothing and exciting it could be to create something with yarn and a hook.  Not only have I learned how to crochet with a variety of stitches, I have also realized what a great project this can be to have on hand.   Many hours a week, I am transporting my teenager from one activity or class to another. I spend a lot of time sitting in parking lots, waiting for my boy.  Now I have projects to work on while I wait.  It makes the time pass much more pleasantly.  And I feel as though I am doubly productive. Not only am I providing my homeschooled boy with a variety of activities and classes, I am also able to create while doing so.  That is a win-win situation, in my opinion.

Vanilla Bean Scarf

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pw9IXKbAqk

Corner to Corner pattern
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDGd-prTJes

Homemade gifts

It's the beginning of December and I am already exhausted by the marketing teams.  Everywhere I go, I hear Christmas carols, see Christmas decorations and am assaulted by sales fliers.  My mailbox is overflowing with catalogs.  Radio and television stations have endless commercials encouraging me to shop.  If it's not Black Friday, it's Cyber Monday. Sales galore!  Shop, shop, shop.

Enough already!!  What happened to having a peaceful holiday to share with family and friends?  Why do I have to go into debt to make everyone happy?!  Oh wait, I don't!  

This year has been particularly annoying to me as far as the commercialization goes.  I do not want my teenage son to grow up thinking happiness can be purchased or that debt is a good thing.  However, I do wish to teach him that creativity can be fun and avoiding debt . . .  even better.  

On that note, it is time to create some gifts for family and friends that will not break the bank.  First up on the list; candles.  I love burning candles and go through many throughout the year.  My mother enjoys them just as much, which is why I chose this as our first creative gift giving project of the season.

My son and I stopped by our local Dollar Tree yesterday and found several items with which to work.  I love the Dollar Tree for crafting supplies!

 

We found candles, candle holders and lots of little doo-dads to use for decorating our gifts.  The first project is a candle decorated with shiny golden colored thumbtacks.

All that was needed for this project was a rubber band, candle and thumbtacks.  I simply placed the rubber band around the base of the candle to use as a guide.

Next, the thumbtacks were inserted into the candle, between the rubber band and the bottom.  The tacks overlap slightly, creating a nice little pattern.  Once all of the tacks were "inserted", the rubber band came off.  The final step was to rub a little bit of oil on the tack heads to give a little extra shine. I love shiny things!  Especially so when they include a happy fragrance, like vanilla.  (happy sigh)  Pure bliss!